Red Barron's Fuel Tank In Victoria Australia?

Some decent pics for our curious colleagues. To those who know about these things, it’s clearly Dr.1 tank.

We’ve had some varied donations over the years, from exciting items like this tank in the 80s (although it didn’t seem like much at the time), to seemingly mundane items like our WW2 Clarktor aircraft tug a couple of months ago. Always something interesting to inspect.

So, for the most complete collection of Australian designed and built aircraft, along with rare surviving examples of WW2 aircraft like our Black Cat and our P-40, both of which saw combat, the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin is worth a look. You’ll never know what you’ll see next!

Cheers,
Matt

Couple more when it sat at my house !

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Think it’s a bit thin and not very robust provenance there, though it does point that way, haven’t other items turned up in Australia?, maybe the publicity might generate some information.

Anyone know how many proven items exist from his aircraft ?

Certainly much fabric – waaaaay too much fabric 😀 the engine is at IWM, various parts which I believe to be in NZ now. The Museum had a call today from someone who had a necklace made from coins removed from his pocket, was able to give names and history etc. Worth going and having a look….

I spent a few months researching this tank and speaking to a number of Dr.1 experts in Europe. Naturally no one can say 100% unless we locate the original donors, but the evidence points to the positive. There was arguments from a local person claiming it was from a Dr.1 that was lost in a fire in the Exhibition Buildings in the 1920s but the fabric attached to the valve and the overall condition of the tank disputes that notion.

As far as anyone is able to ascertain, very, very few tanks survive, so either way, it’s rare. Just remains to be seen as to it’s complete story, as we have said all along, perhaps we will never know….

Here are some pics I took while looking in to it’s history….

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It was donated in the 80s as something from an aeroplane, with the donor noting that it was from his deceased grandfather’s junk in the shed. No Dr.1 connection was considered until a couple of years ago, and Richthofen was not mentioned for decades.

It has been independently verified as a Dr.1 fuel tank by international experts in the field, based on dimensions, materials, and construction techniques. Damage is consistent with a sudden stop, and it has been sawn from the fuselage mounts.

So, it’s an interesting article, and was brought home by someone who wanted an interesting souvenir.

A good story? Yes. The facts? Well, it’s a Fokker Dr.1 fuel tank that has been fitted to an aeroplane that has has stopped suddenly. And it’s displayed as such, with all possibilities noted, but none unquestioningly claimed. Whatever it is, it’s very interesting, with genuine WW1 German provenance.

The tank is on public display at the Australian National Aviation Museum, Moorabbin Airport, Victoria, Australia.

Cheers,
Matt

Seems pretty suspect
If it was donated in the 80’s as a Richtofen piece and the family knew it, it would have been long ago documented
as such.

Junk Collector, there are multiple families who have pieces of the aircraft which have been passed on down over the years in Australia.

more than likely about 6 aircraft full !!

Think it’s a bit thin and not very robust provenance there, though it does point that way, haven’t other items turned up in Australia?, maybe the publicity might generate some information.

Anyone know how many proven items exist from his aircraft ?

Thanks Brendan.

Here’s a link for those who don’t use Facebook;

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/red-baron-headline-here-20170106-gtn08i.html